The hardware is, naturally, paired with a smartphone app for iOS and Android that can be used to track your progress. In the future, you’ll also be able to develop “stress measurements” to better identify how stressed you are, or can be, and look for ways of moderating it. In the materials the company supplied, it looks as if you don’t need to be sat quietly in a dark room while your Cove is running. Instead, you can hang out at work, on a video call or doing exercise while the device works its apparent magic on your mastoid. 

If you’re the sort who spends their days with an eye on the fashion world, then the name of Feelmore’s founder may be familiar. Francois Kress has previously been CEO at brands like Carolina Herrera, Stuart Weitzman, Prada and Bulgari as well as LVMH. He’s joined in this venture by a coterie of neuroscientists who believe that there is plenty of positives to this sort of neural stimulation for better mental health. 

Naturally, as with any piece of technology like this, we can’t be certain of its effectiveness until there’s been a lot more research done. And, of course, we haven’t touched or used the gear ourselves, so it’s hard to say yet if it’s in any way effective. We’ll hopefully learn more when Cove hits store shelves this fall, for an as-yet undisclosed price. 

All three sites might also be linked to one man, David Azzato. While the Swiss businessman has denied running any sites in the US and claimed to have cut ties with Eros and Rubmaps, investigators believe he’s still involved based on evidence. While Rubmaps changed from a .com address to .ch after the Backpage shutdown, for example, the domain holder was the same company — and its lone founding shareholder is a marketing firm created by Azzato. EroticMonkey’s previous .com domain, meanwhile, was linked to an IP address from a “Davide Azzato.” Eros also came under control of a Cyprus-based company that counted Azzato as a founder.

A spokesman for Azzato insisted that Rubmaps was just a “design project” the businessman never profited from, maintained that “Davide” was a different person, and said that Azzato sold Eros to another company (owned by a former director of Azzato’s marketing agency). The representative also claimed not to know where Azzato lives, even as a LinkedIn page appeared to indicate that he lived in the United Arab Emirates.

As a result, it may be difficult for US officials to extradite Azzato if they determine he and the sites are knowingly promoting crimes like trafficking. They may coordinate with other countries to shut down the sites, though. The challenge is to take long-lasting action. A shutdown might not matter much if other sites merely pop up in their place, especially if the old sites creators aren’t held to account.

The center will pump in fragrances related to each setting along with a cool breeze. The massage isn’t virtual, but it’s not from a human, either — it’s an automated massage chair, hopefully better than the one you collapse into for a break at the mall.

Somewhat fittingly, Esqapes is based in the SAG-Aftra Building. That’s the home of the Screen Actors Guild, whose members certainly know a thing or two about pretend worlds.

Esqapes might not be able to offer you a massage from a real masseur or masseuse on an actual Carribean beach. But as a quick getaway from the hustle and bustle of LA, it might be worth checking out.